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Friday, March 19, 2010

Between school stuff due, lifeguard training and this fabulous Book Blogger and Publisher Online Conference all weekend we're swamped! But we promise to get to all the contest stuff as soon as we're done and have some breathing time.The conference is great and we've met some fantastic folk! Terry Kate, the organizer from Romance in the Backseat asked us to add our voice to a panel today on What Bloggers Would Like From Publishers.

It was lots of fun and we met to meet two wonderful and highly successful bloggers also on the panel.

Both had great insight because of their vast experience. It was an honor to be on with them, although we feel like the silly newbie, but we're trying to hold our own!

Jake and Gregory have thrown me to the wolves by making me (Alyssa) do all the talking on the audio panel but we're all answering questions in the forum. The talking stuff is intimidating especially when I'm so shy! But everyone has been kind and supportive.

There's still time to join up if you like. You can listen to all the audio panels for 2 weeks after it's over.

We're on a panel on Sunday to cover what we are looking for in YA sooooooo......

Help us out!

Tell us what YOU look for or want more of in YA. We'd love to add your thoughts to the mix so please put them in the comments on this post.

This is your chance to add your voice to tell authors and publishers what you think!

Speaking of voice, that's what we love to see in YA, an authentic YA voice. When the voice is wrong, it ruins the whole experience.

How do you get it in your writing and/or recognize it in your reading? That's the magic elixir. It's hard to give specifics but we certainly know when we're reading a book when it's not there.

What are your thoughts?

We're also getting some great info on how to improve our blog so stay tuned and have a great weekend!

So I'm not exactly a young adult but I do love reading YA. And I like nothing more than when the characters stay true to form. Some authors portray cliche versions of teens. For example: A teen from the present doesn't have to say LIKE in every sentence. But then some authors go completely oppo and make teens sound like there from the rennaissance or something! I would just like to see more characters that are realistic in time, location, and personality. It would be great to eliminate some stereotypes and get back to the reality of what a young adult is. Don't get me wrong authors have come a long way but theres always something to improve upon and I think this improvement would help readers better relate.

I am not a young adult, but I have come to like the category tremendously. I would like to see more historical YA fiction, perhaps with some fantasy elements mixed in. Also, I wish another writer like J.K. Rowling would come along. I know the HP books are not technically YA, but I still love them. Who will be the next Rowling? That's what I ask!

Book Freak - we can always ask for more! Can't wait to see your book in stores!

Jemi - great. I'm becoming a new fan of steampunk. Great thoughts and we'll pass them on. I agree with you on all points and my brothers would love more male characters too.

Rheanna - I'm totally with you. That's what I mean when I say 'authentic voice.' You are great with the specifics. Thanks and we'll pass it on!

Michelle - you're not alone. There are a lot of not YA folks reading YA. My mom and my aunt are huge YA lovers which is fun because we can discuss the same books.

Historical YA fiction can be a lot of fun and especially with some fantasy. I'm a big urban fantasy fan - historical or otherwise. I think Cassandra Clare's new series coming out this summer would be of interest to you so watch out for each other. A new Jk Rowling would be awesome!

Juju- That's so funny! How did I sound. Total dweeb? Tell me I didn't sound totally ridiculous. I was so scared!

I love love paranormal!And I am not a young adult but I love YAs...They offer so much variety and its so easy to connect with the characters! The 'feel' of the book,the 'emotions' it offers and those that it triggers in me matter a lot in my liking a book and I think most YAs are perfect in that sphere!

Wow, hope you guys make it out of all that stuff alive! Lifegaurd training sounds very interesting. :)

And I'm not participating because I have loads of stuff this weekend already, but I hope to hear your thoughts on how it goes! Good luck with the speaking, though I'm sure you'll be fine; I'd be scared to scared to death, lol.

As for the question at hand, I'm always a fan of strong heroines and I think books from the PoV of straight "nice" guys could actually get somewhere, like Ethan from BC. I just love unique books, though I could use a little more of dystopian and perhaps a bit more action-y historical fiction, an adventure set during a different time period vs. straight facts. And I'm with you that more shirtless werewolves wouldn't hurt... ;)